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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (337
notes).

Note 336 by UMNS on Sept. 19, 1997 at 15:56 Eastern (2863 characters).

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally
524(10-71B){336}
         Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470 
Sept. 19, 1997

Superintendents, council directors
explore leadership for next century

by Mike Stanton-Rich*

	JACKSON, Miss. (UMNS) - "If God meant for churches to be fixed with bandages,
churches would have doctors, not pastors!"
	That was the title of a two-day seminar held here Sept. 15-16 in which a
group of district superintendents and conference council directors discussed
leadership for the next century.
	Central point of the seminar, according to the Rev. Bill Easum of the
Southwest Texas Conference, was to identify shifts in the world and consider
implications for the church.  
"We have moved from the industrial age to the post modern age in the world,
and the church is still functioning in the industrial world," said Easum. 
"The models of that era are no longer working.  The machine model in which the
church presently operates could apply quick fixes to solve problems.  The new
organic model of the world needs long-term solutions."
	Another seminar leader, the Rev. David Loughery of the Eastern Pennsylvania
Conference, said the church is being challenged to give permission for pastors
and laity to obtain the tools and resources needed for the new century.
"A majority of the church is over 55 and they do not see the need for change,
yet they need to learn to open up and give permission for growth to happen in
the future," he said.
	Easum said the effective leader in the 21st century will be a "midwife," one
who works with a team to help give birth. Instead of giving orders and
commands, leaders will provide opportunities for pastors and laity to grow, he
said.
	Jim Standiford, superintendent of the Tucson (Ariz.) District, described the
workshop as a "positive focus of hope for the church."  While "radical"
approaches to the future were considered, he said the seminar stayed focused
on the central mission of the church: making disciples for Jesus Christ.
	When asked to compare the seminar here with other training events he said,
"Other training focused on preserving the institution, and this is focused on
being faithful."
	In frank discussions about the future of the church, participants shared
stories and experiences of successes and failures in leadership of the church.
 A North Alabama participant said leadership development for the future will
move from "one-shot, mandatory events to long-term commitments to voluntary
programs."
	Easum predicted the role of superintendents and conference staff will move
from present administrative models to consulting models.  "Our future leaders
will not push papers, but will have skills and gifts to train leaders and
effect change," he said.
#  #  #

*Stanton-Rich is director of communications for the Mississippi Annual
Conference.

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